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Swedish Gripen Jets Scramble to Track Russian Submarine in Key Baltic Passage
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Two Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets were deployed to monitor a Russian submarine transiting the Kattegat Strait, a key maritime corridor linking the Baltic and North Seas, Swedish Armed Forces reported on April 10.
According to Swedish Armed Forces spokesperson Per Pihlqvist, the submarine—identified as a Kilo-class vessel—had been tracked well before the jets were scrambled on Friday.
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“We monitor everything in the Baltic Sea. This is part of an information chain where we continuously exchange data with our allies,” he said.
The purpose of the sortie was to refine the existing operational picture. During such missions, aircraft conduct visual inspections, take imagery, and assess whether there are any unusual characteristics or activities.
Swedish forces continued to monitor the submarine on Saturday, though its exact location has not been disclosed. Officials described the operation as part of routine activities aimed at safeguarding Sweden’s territorial integrity and supporting allied security.
Swedish fighter jets tracking Russian submarine in the Kattegat.
— Försvarsmakten (@Forsvarsmakten) April 10, 2026
On Friday, Swedish JAS 39 Gripen intercepted a Russian Kilo-class submarine in the Kattegat. Together with allies, we are now monitoring the submarine’s continued route into the Baltic Sea.https://t.co/BrIU6SD4AS pic.twitter.com/XBcwTPQ1bS
Under international law, Russian naval vessels are permitted to transit through international waters in the Kattegat and the Danish straits. As the submarine proceeds toward the Baltic Sea, monitoring responsibilities are expected to shift to other NATO countries along its route.
Swedish military officials said they remain closely engaged, noting that they are well familiar with the routes and patterns of movement typically used by such submarines.
Earlier, the Swedish Coast Guard reported the detention of a vessel suspected of causing an oil spill in the Baltic Sea. The tanker was ordered to anchor in Swedish territorial waters as part of an ongoing investigation.
An aerial surveillance aircraft detected an oil spill east of the island of Gotland.
“At that time, the spill extended for more than 12 kilometers. The vessel Flora 1 was identified at an early stage as being of interest to the investigation. The ship is now anchored south of Ystad. The operation is being carried out in cooperation with the Swedish police,” the Coast Guard said.
